New Delhi, October 17
Trade unions have slammed the latest labour reforms announced by the Central Government and called for a nationwide protest on December 5.

In the name of labour reforms and attracting investments, corporate houses were being strengthened, said union leaders. “The government is curtailing the rights of workers and they are being made the victim,” G Sanjeeva Reddy, president, Indian National Trade Union Congress (INTUC). The INTUC is affiliated with the Congress.

Reddy said the new government policy is geared to bolster the corporate sector. He claimed the government was curtailing the rights of trade unions. On announcement to end the inspector Raj, Reddy said it will profit companies who are not implementing labour laws. “These inspectors were in place to check labour laws violation. The companies will now have a field day,” said Reddy.

Calling it an “anti-worker and pro-corporate move”, Gurudas Dasgupta, general secretary, All India Trade Union Congress (AITUC) said the government was giving more powers to contractors. “The government has adopted the Apprentice Act. It means apprentices can be appointed much below the wages of even contract workers. This will ultimately benefit the employers and harm working class,” he said.

As a result of these changes, around 70% of small and medium enterprises would go out of the purview of labour laws, he said. “A modification of Industrial Disputes Act is also in the offing. It seeks to draw investments, but will hurt labour and promote unilateralism,” said Dasgupta.

The CPM said the Narendra Modi government would continue to serve the interests of the employers in the name of labour reforms and its 'Shramev Jayate' programme meant "nothing much" for the working class.